Collapsible vehicle shelter

FIELD OF INVENTION

This relates to camping equipment, and more particularly, to camping shelter attachments for use with pickup trucks.

BACKGROUND

Camping is a popular recreational activity, and accordingly, there are many items of camping equipment available. This equipment includes camping shelters, such as for example, tents for erection on the ground, recreational vehicles having integral shelters, and shelters for use in connection with pickup trucks. The shelters of the latter category frequently include panels and frames that are assembled on the beds of the pickup trucks so that the resulting structure incorporates a roof or other overhead protection, side walls constructed of canvas or nylon, frames for supporting the roof and side walls, and one or more sleeping beds. When not assembled to form a shelter, these components are collapsed and stored in or over the beds of the pickup trucks for traveling from one camping location to another.

There are disadvantages however with known structures for use on pickup truck beds. Some designs have a profile wherein the shelter structure, while in its stored configuration, extends above the pickup truck cab or extends behind the truck beyond the truck tail gate. This can result in reduced aerodynamic properties as well as a less than aesthetically-pleasing appearance. Other designs are not well adapted for use with so-called “short bed” pickup trucks, because they do not provide a sleeping bed of sufficient length for comfortable use by many adult users. Yet other designs require an excessive number of steps by the user to erect the collapsible structure over the pickup truck bed.

What is needed therefore is an improved, collapsible shelter attachment for use with a pickup truck that overcomes these and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed is an improved shelter having an aerodynamic, low-weight and aesthetically-pleasing profile when the shelter is closed, yet providing a quickly-assembled shelter with a comfortable sleeping area when opened. An embodiment of the invention includes a lid that is rotatably attached to one side of a pickup truck bed. As the lid is rotated in an opened direction, two wire ropes pull a shelter structural support mast in an upward direction so that the mast is in its fully upright position when the lid is in its fully opened position adjacent to the exterior of the truck bed sidewall. An additional two wire ropes connecting the mast to the opposite truck bed sidewall provide support for the mast and the lid. When in its opened position, the interior surface of the lid forms a sleeping bed for a user. The mast and the wire ropes provide the structure for supporting the canvas or nylon sheeting material for the walls of the shelter. Sufficient height is provided by the shelter for an adult user of average height to be able to stand upright on the truck bed floor within the shelter.

According to another embodiment, the shelter is for use with a pickup truck bed having a floor and first and second sidewalls. The second sidewall has a sidewall exterior surface and a sidewall interior surface. The shelter is comprised of a lid, a first member, a mast and a link member. The lid has a lid exterior surface and a lid interior surface and is adapted for attachment to the second sidewall of the truck bed. The lid is further adapted for movement between a lid first position and a lid second position.

The first member has a first member exterior surface and a first member interior surface. The first member is adapted for attachment to the lid and for movement between a first member first position and a first member second position. The lid is disposed adjacent to the sidewall exterior surface with the lid interior surface disposed generally parallel to the truck bed floor when the lid is in the lid second position. The first member interior surface is generally coplanar with the lid interior surface when the lid is in the lid second position and when the first member is in the first member second position.

The mast is adapted for attachment to the pickup truck bed and for placement in a mast first position and a mast second position. The mast is disposed in a generally upright orientation when the mast is in the mast second position. The link member is adapted for connecting the lid to the mast, for connecting the mast to the pickup truck bed, and for supporting the lid when the lid is in the lid second position.

In another aspect, the mast is adapted to be disposed between the lid interior surface and the pickup truck bed floor when the mast is in the mast first position and the lid is in the lid first position.

In another aspect, the link member being adapted for connecting the mast to the pickup truck bed includes being adapted for connecting the mast to the first sidewall of the pickup truck bed.

In another aspect, the link member is a flexible wire rope.

In another aspect, the link member is adapted for moving the mast from the mast first position to the mast second position in response to the movement of the lid from the lid first position to the lid second position.

In another aspect, the shelter further comprises second and third members. The second member is adapted for attachment to the first sidewall and for extending generally upward from the first sidewall. The link member, being adapted for connecting the mast to the pickup truck bed, includes being adapted for connecting the mast to the second member. The third member has a third member interior surface and a third member exterior surface. The third member is adapted for attachment to the second sidewall and for extending generally upward from the second sidewall. The lid, being adapted for attachment to the second sidewall, includes being adapted for attachment to the third member. The lid, being disposed adjacent to the sidewall exterior surface when the lid is in the lid second position, includes being disposed adjacent to the third member exterior surface when the lid is in the lid second position.

In another aspect, the pickup truck has a cab with a cab roof that defines an imaginary plane extending from the cab roof. The lid exterior surface is disposed either substantially coplanar with the imaginary plane or below the imaginary plane when the lid is attached to the third member and in the lid first position.

In another aspect, the link member is comprised of a first link member and a second link member. The first link member is adapted for connecting the lid to the mast, and the second link member is adapted for connecting the mast to the pickup truck bed.

In another aspect, the mast, being adapted for attachment to the pickup truck bed, includes being adapted for attachment to the second sidewall of the truck bed. The shelter further comprises a hinge assembly adapted for attachment to the second sidewall. The hinge assembly has a first movable plate adapted to rotate about a first axis and a second movable plate adapted to rotate about a second axis. The first movable plate is adapted for attachment to the lid, and the second movable plate is adapted for attachment to the mast.

There are additional aspects to the present inventions. It should therefore be understood that the preceding is merely a brief summary of some embodiments and aspects of the present inventions. Additional embodiments and aspects are referenced below. It should further be understood that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. The preceding summary therefore is not meant to limit the scope of the inventions. Rather, the scope of the inventions is to be determined by appended claims and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of certain embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a rear perspective view of a shelter attachment in a fully closed orientation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a rear perspective view of the shelter attachment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in a partially-opened position;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a side perspective view of the shelter attachment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in a fully opened position;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. is a rear perspective view of the shelter attachment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in a fully opened position;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an exploded parts diagram of some of the principal components of the shelter attachment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a top perspective view of certain components of the shelter attachment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a simplified, schematic cross section view of a portion of the shelter attachment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in a fully closed orientation;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a simplified, schematic cross section view of a portion of the shelter attachment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in a partially opened orientation;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a simplified, schematic cross section view of a portion of the shelter attachment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in a fully opened orientation;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a perspective view of a dual axis hinge in the closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a perspective view of the dual axis hinge of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> in the opened position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. It is understood that other embodiments may be used and structural and operational changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Disclosed is an improved shelter having an aerodynamic, low-weight and aesthetically-pleasing profile when the shelter is closed, yet providing a quickly-assembled shelter with a comfortable sleeping area when opened. An embodiment of the invention includes a lid that is rotatably attached to one side of a pickup truck bed. As the lid is rotated in an opened direction, two wire ropes pull a shelter mast in an upward direction so that the mast is in its fully upright position when the lid is in its fully opened position adjacent to the exterior of the truck bed sidewall. An additional two wire ropes connecting the mast to the opposite truck bed sidewall provide support for the mast and the lid. When in its opened position, the interior surface of the lid forms a sleeping bed for a user. The mast and the wire ropes provide the structure for supporting the canvas or nylon sheeting material for the walls of the shelter.

Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-6</figref>, there is shown a collapsible shelter attachment <b>12</b> mounted on the bed <b>14</b> of a pickup truck <b>16</b>. The truck bed <b>14</b> is located behind the cab <b>18</b> of the truck <b>16</b> and has a generally rectangular floor <b>20</b>, a rear gate <b>22</b> rotatably attached to the floor <b>20</b>, first and second sidewalls <b>24</b>, <b>26</b> extending upward from the floor <b>20</b> and oriented generally parallel to one another, and a third sidewall <b>28</b> disposed at the front of the truck bed <b>14</b> and oriented transversely between the first and second sidewalls <b>24</b>, <b>26</b>.

As best seen in the exploded parts diagram of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, some of the major components of the shelter attachment <b>12</b> include first, second and third base members or panels <b>30</b>, <b>32</b>, <b>34</b>, a lid <b>36</b>, a hatch member or panel <b>38</b>, a mast <b>40</b>, and four wire ropes <b>42</b>, <b>44</b>, <b>46</b>, <b>48</b>. When disassembled, these components can be stacked upon one another for compact packaging and shipping. A user can unpack these components and assemble them onto a pickup truck without excessive difficulty. While the embodiment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-6</figref> shows a shelter that can be obtained as components and assembled onto a truck by an end-user, alternative embodiments include a shelter that is integral with a truck as assembled by a truck manufacturer or a specialized modification facility.

Referring again to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-4</figref> and <b>6</b>, the first and second panels <b>30</b>, <b>32</b> sit atop the first and second sidewalls <b>24</b>, <b>26</b>, respectively, and extend generally upward from the sidewalls. The third panel <b>34</b> sits atop the third sidewall <b>28</b> at the front of the truck bed <b>14</b> and is attached to the first and second panels <b>30</b>, <b>32</b> thereby strengthening these two panels and effectively increasing the volume defined by the truck bed <b>14</b>. The first and second panels <b>30</b>, <b>32</b> are attached to the first and second sidewalls <b>24</b>, <b>26</b> respectively by first and second support stanchions <b>50</b>, <b>52</b> located at the rear of the truck bed <b>14</b>.

The first support stanchion <b>50</b> attaches the first panel <b>30</b> to the first sidewall <b>24</b> and provides additional strength to the first panel <b>30</b> for bearing the weight of the lid <b>36</b> when in the closed position plus the weight of any camping supplies, luggage or other items that a user may desire to store on the external surface <b>54</b> of the lid <b>36</b> when the lid <b>36</b> is closed. The second support stanchion <b>52</b> provides additional strength to the second panel <b>32</b> for bearing the weight of the lid <b>36</b> when in the closed position and for bearing the weight of the lid <b>36</b> plus a user when in the opened position. One end of a support bracket <b>56</b> extends into the second support stanchion <b>52</b> and is attached to the top of the second sidewall <b>26</b> of the truck bed <b>14</b>. The other end of the bracket <b>56</b> is attached to the truck bed floor <b>20</b> so that the bracket <b>56</b> is oriented at an angle between the truck bed floor <b>20</b> and the second sidewall <b>26</b>. This bracket <b>56</b> provides strength to the second sidewall <b>26</b> and offsets resulting forces associated with the weight of the lid <b>36</b> and a user resting on the lid <b>36</b> when in the opened position.

The lid <b>36</b> is rotatably attached to the upper edge of the second panel <b>32</b> with a dual-axis hinge <b>58</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9-11</figref>) and rotates between a closed position as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref> and an open position as seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>. When in the closed position, the end of the lid <b>36</b> that is attached to the hinge <b>58</b> rests atop the hinge <b>58</b> and the second panel <b>32</b> while the opposite end of the lid <b>36</b> rests atop the first panel <b>30</b> thus enclosing the volume of the truck bed <b>14</b>. While in this closed position the lid exterior surface <b>54</b> is disposed substantially coplanar with an imaginary plane <b>62</b> extending from and defined by the cab roof <b>60</b>, thus providing improved aerodynamic properties for the pick up truck <b>16</b> when it is in motion as compared with other shelter attachment designs that extend above a cab roof. When the lid <b>36</b> is in the open position, it is disposed adjacent to the second panel exterior surface <b>64</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) with the lid interior surface <b>66</b> facing generally upward and disposed generally parallel to the truck bed floor <b>20</b>, and thereby becomes a sleeping bed for a user.

The hatch panel <b>38</b> is a member that is rotatably attached to the lid <b>36</b> with a hinge <b>68</b> located on one edge of the hatch panel <b>38</b> so that it rotates between a closed position and a fully opened position. When the hatch panel <b>38</b> is in its closed position (and the lid <b>36</b> is also in its closed position), the opposite edge of the hatch panel <b>38</b> abuts the rear gate <b>22</b> of the truck <b>16</b> thereby fully enclosing the volume of the truck bed <b>14</b> as best seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. The shelter attachment <b>12</b> therefore does not extend rearwardly beyond the rear gate <b>22</b> thus providing improved aerodynamic properties and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, when the hatch panel <b>38</b> moves from its fully closed position to its fully opened position, it rotates about an angle of approximately 135°, or so, and is held in its fully open position by a pair of movable brackets <b>70</b> having detents (not shown). This fully opened hatch panel <b>38</b> position provides the user with advantageous leverage, so that while standing upon the opened truck rear gate <b>22</b>, the user can grasp the fully opened hatch panel <b>38</b> and lift and rotate the lid <b>36</b> clockwise to its opened position. When the lid <b>36</b> reaches its fully opened position, the hatch panel <b>38</b> can be rotated in a reverse direction to a partially opened position such that the inner surface <b>72</b> of the hatch panel <b>38</b> is generally coplanar with the inner surface <b>66</b> of the lid <b>36</b> and extends rearwardly from the lid <b>36</b> as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

Additional detents (not shown) in the movable brackets <b>70</b> secure the hatch panel <b>38</b> in this partially opened position thus extending the length of the sleeping bed beyond the length of the pickup truck bed <b>14</b>. This allows the shelter attachment <b>12</b> to be mounted and carried on a pickup truck having a so-called “short bed” design (e.g., those having truck bed lengths of about 6 feet, or so), yet provide a sleeping bed with sufficient length for comfortable use by most adult users, as best seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

The mast <b>40</b> is comprised of a rearward elongated member <b>74</b> and a forward elongated member <b>76</b> that are disposed generally parallel to one another in a spaced-apart relationship and are connected to each other at one end by a mast longitudinal member <b>78</b> that extends generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truck <b>16</b>. The other end of each of the rearward and forward elongated members <b>74</b>, <b>76</b> is rotatably attached to the second panel <b>32</b> by the dual-axis hinge <b>58</b>, thereby permitting the mast <b>40</b> to rotate between a lowered position and a raised position. An end portion <b>80</b> of the rearward elongated member <b>74</b> includes the attachment point for the mast longitudinal member <b>78</b> and is bent or curved inward in a direction toward the longitudinal centerline of the truck <b>16</b>.

When in the lowered position, the mast <b>40</b> is disposed between the lid interior surface <b>66</b> and the pickup truck bed floor <b>20</b> for convenient storage. When the mast <b>40</b> is in its raised position (with the lid <b>36</b> in its open position), the mast <b>40</b> is in a generally upright orientation with its longitudinal member <b>78</b> positioned well above the imaginary plane <b>62</b> formed by the roof <b>60</b> of the truck cab <b>18</b>. Although in a generally upright orientation, the mast <b>40</b> nevertheless is tilted inward slightly. This orientation in combination with the inward bend or curve of the end portion <b>80</b> of the rearward elongated member <b>74</b> provides for a more open area in which a user may enter the shelter attachment and stand without suffering interference from wire ropes or tenting material.

As best seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, two of the wire ropes <b>42</b>, <b>44</b> are used to connect the lid <b>36</b> to the mast <b>40</b> and the other two wire ropes <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> are used to connect the mast <b>40</b> to the first panel <b>30</b>. The four ropes <b>42</b>, <b>44</b>, <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> are connected to the mast <b>40</b> at or near the opposite ends of the longitudinal member <b>78</b> and provide support for the lid <b>36</b> when it is in its fully opened position. Thus the weight of the lid <b>36</b> and any user resting thereon produce a rotational force against the upper portion of the mast <b>40</b> in an outward direction away from the truck bed <b>14</b>. However the two wire ropes <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> connecting the mast <b>40</b> to the first panel <b>30</b> oppose this force and keep the mast <b>40</b> in its generally upright orientation so that the lid <b>36</b> remains in a generally horizontal orientation for use as a sleeping bed. The four wire ropes <b>42</b>, <b>44</b>, <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> along with the mast <b>40</b> are additionally used to support a flexible, sheet material, such as canvas, nylon, etc., or to support inflatable material, so that a camping tent-like enclosure can be easily constructed.

The wire ropes <b>42</b>, <b>44</b>, <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> assist in the erection of the shelter attachment <b>12</b> when it is desired to construct the enclosure. Referring now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, there is shown a simplified, schematic cross-section view of a portion of the shelter attachment <b>12</b> when in its fully closed position. Shown is the lid <b>36</b> resting on the first and second panels <b>30</b>, <b>32</b> thereby forming an enclosure over the truck bed <b>14</b>. Nested between the lid <b>36</b> and the truck bed floor <b>20</b> is the mast <b>40</b> which is disposed in its lowered or stored position. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows the lid <b>36</b> in a partially opened position as it rotates clockwise toward its fully-opened position. Two of the wire ropes <b>42</b>, <b>44</b> (only one of which is shown in the cross-section view of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>) become taut and cause the mast <b>40</b> to rotate clockwise from its lowered position to its raised position in response to the movement of the lid <b>36</b>.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows the shelter attachment <b>12</b> in its fully opened position with the lid <b>36</b> disposed adjacent to the exterior surface <b>64</b> of the second panel <b>32</b>, the mast <b>40</b> disposed in its raised position and two wire ropes <b>44</b>, <b>48</b> (only one of which is seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) connecting the lid <b>36</b> with the mast <b>40</b> and the mast <b>40</b> with the first panel <b>30</b>, and thereby providing support for the weight of the lid <b>36</b> and a user (not shown) who may desire to use the lid <b>36</b> as a sleeping bed.

This arrangement provides the needed structural support without the necessity of a crossbar extending laterally across the rear entryway of the truck bed <b>14</b> thereby hindering access by a user. The illustrated embodiment is, in effect, a cantilever structural system wherein the second support stanchion <b>52</b> attached to the second panel <b>32</b> in combination with the support bracket <b>56</b> attached to the second sidewall <b>26</b> act to counter the sideways force translated from the downward force associated with the weight of the lid <b>36</b> and a user resting on the lid <b>36</b>.

While the illustrated embodiment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-9</figref> shows the use of four wire ropes <b>42</b>, <b>44</b>, <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> as link members for supporting the lid <b>36</b> and mast <b>40</b>, alternative embodiments use two wire ropes, one at each end of the longitudinal member <b>78</b> of the mast <b>40</b>. Each of the two wire ropes extends from the lid <b>36</b> to the mast <b>40</b> and then on to the first panel <b>30</b> as one continuous rope. Each rope is secured in any fashion at the mast <b>40</b> so that it does not move or slip relative to the rope. In other embodiments, the wire ropes are replaced by other flexible link members, such as for example, straps, chains, cords, fiber ropes, etc. In yet further embodiments, rigid link members, such as for example, poles, rods, etc., can be substituted for the wire ropes.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows the dual axis hinge <b>58</b> when the mast <b>40</b> and the lid <b>36</b> are both in their closed position, whereas <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> shows the dual axis hinge <b>58</b> when the mast <b>40</b> and lid <b>36</b> are both in their raised or opened position, respectively. The hinge <b>58</b> permits both the lid <b>36</b> and the mast <b>40</b> to separately rotate relative to the second panel <b>32</b>. The hinge <b>58</b> is attached to the second panel <b>32</b> and has two movable plates <b>82</b>, <b>84</b>, the first <b>82</b> of which rotates about a first axis <b>86</b> and the second <b>84</b> of which rotates about a second axis <b>88</b> that is parallel to the first axis <b>86</b>. The first movable plate <b>82</b> is attached to the lid <b>36</b>, and the second movable plate <b>84</b> is attached to the mast <b>40</b>. The second plate <b>84</b> is oriented so that it does not interfere with the lid <b>36</b> and the first plate <b>82</b> when the lid <b>36</b> is closed.

When the lid <b>36</b> is opened and the mast <b>40</b> in the upright position as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, the second plate <b>84</b> is supported by the second panel <b>32</b> thereby bearing the weight of the mast <b>40</b>. When the mast <b>40</b> swings into the upright position, the hinge arrangement allows the mast <b>40</b> to swing in the area previously occupied by the lid <b>36</b> and the first plate <b>82</b> when the lid <b>36</b> was closed. Thus provided for the mast <b>40</b> is a strong, weight-bearing surface that moves out of the way of the lid <b>36</b> and the first plate <b>82</b> when the lid <b>36</b> is closed.

In operation, a user lowers the rear gate <b>22</b> of the truck bed <b>14</b> and stands upon the gate <b>22</b>. Then the hatch panel <b>38</b> is moved from its fully closed position through an angle of about 135°, or so, to its fully opened position and secured in that position with the pair of movable brackets <b>70</b>. Next, the lid <b>36</b> is rotated or moved from its closed position over the truck bed <b>14</b> to its opened position so that the lid <b>36</b> is disposed adjacent to the exterior surface <b>64</b> of the second panel <b>32</b> with the lid interior surface <b>66</b> being disposed generally parallel to the truck bed floor <b>20</b>.

As the lid <b>36</b> is being moved or rotated, the mast <b>40</b> is moved from its lowered position to its raised position in response to the force exerted by the movement of the lid <b>36</b> and by the wire ropes <b>42</b><b>44</b> attaching the lid <b>36</b> to the mast <b>40</b>. When the lid <b>36</b> is in the opened position, the hatch panel <b>38</b> is moved from its fully opened position to an interim position and held into place at this position by the movable brackets <b>70</b>. When the hatch panel <b>38</b> is in its interim position, the interior surface <b>72</b> of the hatch panel <b>38</b> is generally coplanar with the lid interior surface <b>66</b> thereby effectively increasing the length of the sleeping bed formed by the lid <b>36</b> and the hatch panel <b>38</b>. Finally, flexible sheets constructed of canvas, nylon, etc. are placed over and secured to the mast <b>40</b>, wire ropes <b>42</b>, <b>44</b>, <b>46</b>, <b>48</b>, lid <b>36</b> and hatch panel <b>38</b> thereby forming the enclosure. When it is desired to collapse the shelter attachment, the above-described actions are essentially reversed.

Thus disclosed is an improved shelter attachment for use with a pickup truck. This allows for an aerodynamic, low-weight and aesthetically-pleasing profile when the shelter attachment is closed, yet provides a quickly-assembled shelter having a comfortable sleeping area when opened.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.